17
Early Renaissance German School Oak Sculpture of Saint Anne
Estimate:
$2,000 - $3,000
Sold
$4,500
Live Auction
Sacred Statues: Gothic to Baroque 14th-17th C
Description
A finely carved early Renaissance German School polychrome sculpture of Saint Anne, the revered mother of the Virgin Mary, depicted in a dignified seated position. Hand-carved from solid oak, this sculpture exemplifies the skilled craftsmanship of Northern European religious art during the late 15th to early 16th century, a period characterized by deep devotion and refined naturalism in sacred representations.
This piece reflects the artistic traditions of the German School, which flourished in regions such as Swabia, Franconia, and the Rhineland, producing some of the most revered wood sculptures of the period. Influenced by both Netherlandish realism and Italian Renaissance ideals, sculptors of this era sought to balance intricate Gothic detail with an emerging Renaissance sense of naturalism and human emotion. Masters such as Tilman Riemenschneider (1460-1531) and Veit Stoss (c. 1447-1533) were renowned for their ability to imbue religious figures with lifelike expressions and dynamic drapery-qualities evident in this exquisite representation of Saint Anne.
Saint Anne, a highly venerated figure in medieval Christian tradition, is portrayed wearing a voluminous, draped robe and a modest veil, symbolizing her wisdom and piety. Her expression, though softened by time, conveys a gentle serenity, as she gestures toward an open illuminated manuscript or scripture, reinforcing her role as the educator of the Virgin Mary. The �Saint Anne as a Teacher� motif was particularly prominent in German and Netherlandish devotional art, emphasizing her importance in Christian genealogy and education. Saint Anne was commonly depicted in �Anna Selbdritt� compositions, showing her alongside the Virgin Mary and the Christ Child. However, solo depictions, such as this sculpture, also held significant devotional value, often placed in monastic settings, private chapels, or Marian altars.
Carved from oak, a favored material among German sculptors for its durability and fine grain, this sculpture retains subtle traces of original polychromy, particularly red and green pigments in the folds of her garments. While much of the paint has worn away due to centuries of exposure, these remnants provide a glimpse into the sculpture's original vibrancy. The surface exhibits a rich, aged patina, with visible cracking and wear, consistent with its age and devotional use.
Beneath the figure, two mounting screws suggest that the sculpture was once securely affixed to an altar, niche, or ecclesiastical furnishing, a common practice for religious sculptures intended for chapels or monastic settings.
Artist: German (Rhenish) School
Issued: 15th century
Dimensions: 16"L x 9.50"W x 34"H
Country of Origin: Germany
Provenance: Wenzel Collection; John and Johanna Bass Collection, New York, NY Bass Museum of Art, Miami Beach, FL 1963.
This piece reflects the artistic traditions of the German School, which flourished in regions such as Swabia, Franconia, and the Rhineland, producing some of the most revered wood sculptures of the period. Influenced by both Netherlandish realism and Italian Renaissance ideals, sculptors of this era sought to balance intricate Gothic detail with an emerging Renaissance sense of naturalism and human emotion. Masters such as Tilman Riemenschneider (1460-1531) and Veit Stoss (c. 1447-1533) were renowned for their ability to imbue religious figures with lifelike expressions and dynamic drapery-qualities evident in this exquisite representation of Saint Anne.
Saint Anne, a highly venerated figure in medieval Christian tradition, is portrayed wearing a voluminous, draped robe and a modest veil, symbolizing her wisdom and piety. Her expression, though softened by time, conveys a gentle serenity, as she gestures toward an open illuminated manuscript or scripture, reinforcing her role as the educator of the Virgin Mary. The �Saint Anne as a Teacher� motif was particularly prominent in German and Netherlandish devotional art, emphasizing her importance in Christian genealogy and education. Saint Anne was commonly depicted in �Anna Selbdritt� compositions, showing her alongside the Virgin Mary and the Christ Child. However, solo depictions, such as this sculpture, also held significant devotional value, often placed in monastic settings, private chapels, or Marian altars.
Carved from oak, a favored material among German sculptors for its durability and fine grain, this sculpture retains subtle traces of original polychromy, particularly red and green pigments in the folds of her garments. While much of the paint has worn away due to centuries of exposure, these remnants provide a glimpse into the sculpture's original vibrancy. The surface exhibits a rich, aged patina, with visible cracking and wear, consistent with its age and devotional use.
Beneath the figure, two mounting screws suggest that the sculpture was once securely affixed to an altar, niche, or ecclesiastical furnishing, a common practice for religious sculptures intended for chapels or monastic settings.
Artist: German (Rhenish) School
Issued: 15th century
Dimensions: 16"L x 9.50"W x 34"H
Country of Origin: Germany
Provenance: Wenzel Collection; John and Johanna Bass Collection, New York, NY Bass Museum of Art, Miami Beach, FL 1963.
Condition
Age related wear.